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I see people saying with the QB change we'll see longer passes and it aired out more. Is the play caller changing and did we add a WR with speed as well? None of that IMO will change this week and until the draft. Curious why people that think this way are saying this.
I think that. Because Goff's been focusing his ass off on being safe with the ball (which has affected his willingness to roll the dice and he's settled a lot more than usual), and now you have a backup swooping in who is fresh and will be reading with an eye to get more.
Behind this line he's gonna end up getting heat if he pushes his luck too much so I hope he doesn't get too aggressive. But I'll be surprised if he's not letting some routes develop in this game. That could potentially pay off for him and us. We'll see how it goes.
I think that. Because Goff's been focusing his ass off on being safe with the ball (which has affected his willingness to roll the dice and he's settled a lot more than usual), and now you have a backup swooping in who is fresh and will be reading with an eye to get more.
Behind this line he's gonna end up getting heat if he pushes his luck too much so I hope he doesn't get too aggressive. But I'll be surprised if he's not letting some routes develop in this game. That could potentially pay off for him and us. We'll see how it goes.
I hate saying this because I feel like a jinx, but the Cardinals don't exactly have a good defense. Wolford should have opportunities. I am hopeful that the additional mobility might add some stress that will open something up. I'm also hoping McVay gets creative. It should be entertaining, at minimum. Hopefully, I'm not irate after the game. And hopefully, Goff can take this time to get out of the mental funk.
I think that. Because Goff's been focusing his ass off on being safe with the ball (which has affected his willingness to roll the dice and he's settled a lot more than usual), and now you have a backup swooping in who is fresh and will be reading with an eye to get more.
Behind this line he's gonna end up getting heat if he pushes his luck too much so I hope he doesn't get too aggressive. But I'll be surprised if he's not letting some routes develop in this game. That could potentially pay off for him and us. We'll see how it goes.
I 100% get what you're saying but you didn't address the two things I asked. Is McVay going to call more deep plays? Maybe because everything is on the line he will but lets not act like the lack of deep passing is all on Goff.
Also which WR we going to send blazing down field to alleviate some of the over the middle coverage that teams can focus on Kupp Woods and Higbee with since we don't have anybody who can go deep with speed. It's not IMO a question of the QB, he's just an easy scapegoat for some, it's a question of the right tools and a play caller willing to call the plays that fans want.
I 100% get what you're saying but you didn't address the two things I asked. Is McVay going to call more deep plays? Maybe because everything is on the line he will but lets not act like the lack of deep passing is all on Goff.
Also which WR we going to send blazing down field to alleviate some of the over the middle coverage that teams can focus on Kupp Woods and Higbee with since we don't have anybody who can go deep with speed. It's not IMO a question of the QB, he's just an easy scapegoat for some, it's a question of the right tools and a play caller willing to call the plays that fans want.
I 100% get what you're saying but you didn't address the two things I asked. Is McVay going to call more deep plays? Maybe because everything is on the line he will but lets not act like the lack of deep passing is all on Goff.
Also which WR we going to send blazing down field to alleviate some of the over the middle coverage that teams can focus on Kupp Woods and Higbee with since we don't have anybody who can go deep with speed. It's not IMO a question of the QB, he's just an easy scapegoat for some, it's a question of the right tools and a play caller willing to call the plays that fans want.
Most of McVay's route combinations include a mid to deep route. There's situations where there isn't, but generally over a game the shots are there to be taken. This is more of a QB thing and how he feels wrt his protections than it is a coach and scheming thing.
And it's hard to blame the guy. Especially since Whit went down and teams have realized the Rams have two weak points on the line.
Rick Neuheisel told Bickley & Marotta on Tuesday that underestimating Los Angeles Rams quarterback John Wolford "would be a very big mistake."
arizonasports.com
“He’s the kind of guy that comes up to you and says, ‘OK, coach, here is what they are doing. Here is what we should do.’ I can’t tell you how often he was right,” former Hotshots head coach Rick Neuheisel told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Tuesday.
I hate saying this because I feel like a jinx, but the Cardinals don't exactly have a good defense. Wolford should have opportunities. I am hopeful that the additional mobility might add some stress that will open something up. I'm also hoping McVay gets creative. It should be entertaining, at minimum. Hopefully, I'm not irate after the game. And hopefully, Goff can take this time to get out of the mental funk.
We need more deep stuff, so... are we actually capable of zero? It feels so rare these days, like we don’t try.
The thinking with Wolford, as he scrambles and extends a play... a WR can get behind someone. Thus a deep bigger play, from perhaps a play we wouldn’t expect to get one. Exactly what Wilson does a few times a game.
Neuheisel has seen a lot of football players over the years. He has a very high opinion of Wolford.
He said “I promise you... PROMISE you... Wolford knows the FULL PLAYBOOK.”. He stressed this would be the Rams biggest mistake, “under estimating Wolfords readiness”. And dialing things back.
As a fan, you always hope for a diamond in the rough. Wolford‘s ability to scramble is intriguing to me. Today’s NFL really encourages movement... it’s why we like Goff on the move too, kinda.
Neuheisel has seen a lot of football players over the years. He has a very high opinion of Wolford.
He said “I promise you... PROMISE you... Wolford knows the FULL PLAYBOOK.”. He stressed this would be the Rams biggest mistake, “under estimating Wolfords readiness”. And dialing things back.
As a fan, you always hope for a diamond in the rough. Wolford‘s ability to scramble is intriguing to me. Today’s NFL really encourages movement... it’s why we like Goff on the move too, kinda.
I see people saying with the QB change we'll see longer passes and it aired out more. Is the play caller changing and did we add a WR with speed as well? None of that IMO will change this week and until the draft. Curious why people that think this way are saying this.
My view is that whenever plays goes off schedule under Goff things get dicey at best because he can't run and lately can't even make a play in those situations, and too often bad things happen. Wolford has the ability to at the very least, run with his head up in those situations, which could lead to a big play downfield.
But, if I were Arizona I am stacking the box and blitzing like crazy.
Their pass rush has been getting home the last month or so.
I am going to make McVay pass.
If it’s a stacked font I want to see first down passing.
Most of McVay's route combinations include a mid to deep route. There's situations where there isn't, but generally over a game the shots are there to be taken. This is more of a QB thing and how he feels wrt his protections than it is a coach and scheming thing.
And it's hard to blame the guy. Especially since Whit went down and teams have realized the Rams have two weak points on the line.
But if the guy running that over the top route doesn't scare defenses and can't perform that role does it matter? Again that's the main question, which WR is suddenly going to transform this offense or himself.
My view is that whenever plays goes off schedule under Goff things get dicey at best because he can't run and lately can't even make a play in those situations, and too often bad things happen. Wolford has the ability to at the very least, run with his head up in those situations, which could lead to a big play downfield.
Again that's great and I agree he's not the best when things go to shit but aside from Kupp and Woods who aren't deep threat guys who is going to change the coverage with speed and big play ability? That's what we're missing and needs to be drafted or signed in free agency.
Let's move onto some further analysis of what Wolford brings to the table, based on in-depth research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Wolford's main problem is his lack of size. He's listed at 6-foot-1 but actually measured in at 5-foot-11½ at his pro day. That's probably the main reason for the lack of NFL interest.
Nevertheless, his athletic numbers are very good. His 40-time was above average, his short shuttle and three cone drill were very good and his broad and vertical jump were about average.
Arm Strength
Wolford doesn't have a cannon for an arm but uses a pump fake to good effect and can get the ball downfield with adequate touch and timing:
He will usually put enough zip on the ball on out-breaking routes, throwing a tight spiral on this pass:
His numbers when throwing downfield last season were solid and a vast improvement on his first three seasons.
Accuracy
Wolford's ball placement seems to be pretty good. He can hit players in stride and has a good understanding of when to lead a receiver and when to put the ball in a spot where only he can make a play on the ball.
He will at times throw slightly behind his man or low on intermediate passes, but did not throw a lot of reckless interceptable passes last year.
His numbers when throwing downfield last season were solid and a vast improvement on his first three seasons.
Accuracy
Wolford's ball placement seems to be pretty good. He can hit players in stride and has a good understanding of when to lead a receiver and when to put the ball in a spot where only he can make a play on the ball.
He will at times throw slightly behind his man or low on intermediate passes, but did not throw a lot of reckless interceptable passes last year.
His numbers when throwing downfield last season were solid and a vast improvement on his first three seasons.
Accuracy
Wolford's ball placement seems to be pretty good. He can hit players in stride and has a good understanding of when to lead a receiver and when to put the ball in a spot where only he can make a play on the ball.
He will at times throw slightly behind his man or low on intermediate passes, but did not throw a lot of reckless interceptable passes last year.
His completion percentage in his final season was much better than in the past and he ended up 20th in the nation.
Under pressure
As noted, Wolford was sacked over 100 times in his first three years, but Wake Forest's offensive line got better and better over the course of his career and he started to trust his protection more and throw from within the pocket with more success.
Wolford shows an ability to anticipate and get rid of the ball quickly, but still holds onto the ball too long at times when waiting for plays to develop. As you'd expect there is a drop-off in his completion percentages when under pressure, but he shows an ability to beat a blitz.
While his pocket presence is generally good, he does sometimes fail to keep the ball adequately protected and can be susceptible to losing fumbles, usually when on the move. On this play, he doesn't anticipate the rush off the edge and isn't able to get his throw off. The fumble was returned for a score:
He seems to be good at moving within the pocket and changing up his arm angle to get passes off cleanly, which is essential for a short quarterback. He only had five passes batted down at the line last year.
Footwork/Technique
Wolford admits that his footwork was not ideal in his first three seasons and his improved play in his senior year is probably in large part due to the hard work he carried out during the offseason.
Wolford's throwing motion is sound and he has a quick, compact release. However, there are times when he will bail out of a throw under pressure. He also has a tendency to throw the ball across his body when rolling out, which is something he doesn't look as comfortable doing as you might expect.
Decision Making
Wolford played in a simplistic offense in college, which often predetermined where the ball was supposed to go based on pre-snap reads. However, he at least showed that he can come off his primary option and check down underneath at times. He shows off his ability to read the field here:
Mobility
Wolford is a good runner, capable of scrambling out past the second level and picking up chunks of yardage on read option looks. In one game last season, he passed for 363 yards and three scores and rushed for another 136 yards and three more scores. Here's how dangerous he can be on designed runs:
Scheme Fit
There might be some level of adjustment required for Wolford to be ready to handle a pro-style system, but he is regarded as smart and has a good command of the huddle, so this is something he might be able to cope with.
Injuries
The diminutive Wolford has dealt with plenty of injuries during his time at Wake Forest, although he showed some toughness by often playing hurt. He ended up starting 47 games.
He was knocked out of a game in his freshman year when he landed on his head at the end of a scramble and missed the Clemson game with a shoulder injury last year. He's also had foot/ankle injuries in the past.
Intangibles
Wolford's teammates and coaches speak in glowing terms about his intangibles, praising his smarts, toughness and team-first mentality. He is regarded as a hard-worker with a high level of competitiveness.
He has no character red flags but had a tangential association to a scandal when it emerged that the team's former announcer had been feeding information about the playbook to other teams and his father suggested that this might have been a factor in him being sacked so much in his first three years.
Last week, the Jets announced that they had signed rookie quarterback John Wolford. Todd Bowles has already indicated that he's a candidate for the practice squad, but he might play tomorrow night, so we're breaking him down in detail so you know what to expect. The 22-year-old Wolford is listed
Again that's great and I agree he's not the best when things go to shit but aside from Kupp and Woods who aren't deep threat guys who is going to change the coverage with speed and big play ability? That's what we're missing and needs to be drafted or signed in free agency.
Which is why I was very surprised they signed both Kupp and Woods long term while drafting a similar receiver in Van Jefferson. If the plan was to let one of Kupp or Woods go, then Jefferson makes sense. Otherwise, the need was a "burner" long-threat receiver and don't know why they didn't go after one.
Unless Jefferson is a speed guy (I've read he was the fastest player at the Senior Bowl or something like that). But he can't get on the field so that's moot.
